Stroke in young adults

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An estimated 800,000 Americans suffer from a stroke every year, according to the Center for Disease Control. Studies show anyone is at risk including teenagers and children. It happened to one mother's young son but now she's fighting a different fight by helping him regain his independence.

At just age 18, Jake suffered a stroke. The injury to his brain was devastating to Jake and his mother.

Ann Nicolopulos, Jake's mother, told ABC30, "He had this handicap and the way that I was treating him, all I was doing was handicapping him even more."

The four year long road to recovery hasn't been easy.

Ann Nicolopulos told ABC30, "Jake is able to walk independently, it's a little limp but it's OK. He drives and he's definitely left hand dominate now, the right arm is more of an assist. His speech, that's definitely a difficulty."

Now at 22, Jake is a college student. Medical experts say successful stroke recovery has challenges, starting with a lack of awareness that stroke does happen in the young. Doctors say early diagnosis is crucial.

In people of all ages an unusual headache, nausea and vomiting and facial or arm weakness are signs of stroke.

Medical Director of Shepard Pathways, Payal Fadia, MD, told ABC30, "Getting them to early access to stroke care, and then getting them early treatment for rehabilitation."

Doctors also advise young stroke victims to return to an active lifestyle and adopt a well-balanced diet to avoid the risk of a repeat stroke.

Jake has one word of advice for anyone who may suffer a stroke.

"Motivation," Jake Nicolopulos told ABC30.

Dr. Fadia says medical experts are starting to see a trend and rise in the younger stroke population. Studies show that roughly 80 percent of strokes can be prevented with assistance from your doctor in managing risks.

For more information, contact:

Payal Fadia, MD
Medical Director, Post-Acute Brain Injury Services
Shepard Pathways
(404) 350-7357
Payal_fadia@shepard.org